Hotel pick-up included! Free Sofia city map for everyone!
Sofia - Main Points of Interest
St. Sofia Church
The 4th-6th century basilica was built during the reign of Justinian. It has survived intact with 1600- year-old mosaic details and towards the end of the C14 gave the city its name. Beside the wall of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nearby is the grave of the national poet and writer Ivan Vazov, marked by an engraved boulder.
Alexander Nevski Memorial Church
Completed in 1912 in honour of the Russian casualties of the 1877-78 War of Liberation from Ottoman Rule. Gold-domed, it is the finest piece of architecture in the Balkans. Craftsmen and artists from 6 countries worked on the five-aisle church in the course of 30 years and created real masterpieces of icons, frescoes, murals and huge chandeliers. The interior decoration, made of Italian marble. Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, mosaics embodies the spirit of the finest Eastern Orthodox traditions. A superb collection of icons - the best in Bulgaria - can also be seen in the Crypt (Closed on Mondays).
Rotunda of St. George
A C4 brick building in the courtyard behind the Sheraton Hotel, adorned with finely preserved early medieval frescoes. There are also remains of a C2 street and other Byzantine ruins.
The National Palace of Culture (NDK)
The biggest Congress Centre in the Balkans. It is located in the centre of the city and faces the Vitosha Mountain.
The Church of St. Nedelya
(Opposite the Sheraton Hotel)
Built in medieval times and known as the Church of the Blessed Sveti Kral. The current building was reconstructed after 1925 when it was almost completely destroyed by a bomb explosion.
Vassil Levski Monument
Vassil Levski was the principal architect of the campaign to free Bulgaria from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. The monument marks the spot where he was hanged by the Turks in 1873.
Sofia University
The country's most prestigious university.
It was built a decade after Sofia became Bulgaria's capital in 1879 with funds bequeathed by the brothers Evlogi and Christo Georgiev, whose statues are set in front of the main gates.
Dragalevtsi(optional, not included in the price)
Dragalevtsi is a suburb of Sofia city in the woods at the foot of Mount Vitosha. About 3 km further on is Dragalevtsi Monastery, founded during the reign of King Ivan Alexander. Frescoes date back to the C15. The church, which is part of the original monastery, often sheltered the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski during the C19.
Boyana (optional, not included in the price)
A suburb at the foot of Mount Vitosha, notable for the Boyana Church, built in the C11. Frescoes are claimed to be among the oldest and most interesting examples of East European Medieval art. The Boyana Church has been listed by UNESCO as a part of the world s cultural heritage, just like The Rila Monastery.
Mount Vitosha(optional, not included in the price)
It has become very much a part of Sofia owing to its accessibility by means of the cabin lifts at Knyazhevo and Simeonovo. Cherni Vrah, the highest point, gives wonderful views over the whole region. The winter ski-resort Aleko lies at 1868 m and the ski season lasts from early December until late spring. The beautiful scenery makes the whole area attractive throughout the year.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Individual (1 - 3 prs) Tour Rate - 50 EUR, includes:
- Chauffeur driven air-conditioned car (or minibus) transport from/to a hotel in Sofia
- 3-4 hours city tour with a visit to the main places of interest described
- Professional guide services for the duration of the tour (in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Danish and other languages)
- All entrance fees and taxes in attractions, museums, churches, art galleries, etc.
Remarks:
Departure time: after 09:00 h. (from the hotel in Sofia)
Arrival time: not later than 17:00 h.
The tour price is valid for up to 3 persons (by car)
The tour price for a group of 4 to 7 pax is 40 EUR per person (by minibus)
The tour price for a group of 8 to 13 pax is 30 EUR per person (by large minibus)
Please note that in cases of bad weather conditions this tour might not be available.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
History Whiz
Archeology/History
Walking Tours
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